Upcycling is the idea of taking something old, outdated, unwanted, or just in need of a change, and giving it new life. It is a way to reduce and reuse items that may have otherwise been destined for a landfill. One can upcycle everyday, by being earth conscience you will find ways to reuse almost everything. Renoupcycle.com is committed to sustainability and reducing useless waste.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Costumes, Spooks, Skeletons and Candy corn? No wonder Halloween is my favorite holiday! Halloween is never repeated in our home. There are so many ways to change up your decorations and not have boxes upon boxes of decorations filling your garage (although, I have that too.)

Hurricane glass can be useful in many ways.. Fill it with a mixture of cornstarch water and red food coloring to create a nice blood. Then add plastic eyes, bugs, bones or get creative and find everyday things that resemble brains, or other body parts, ewww. Another idea is using them as vases for ghoulish things, black branches, bones, black roses, candies, you can fill them with anything you can dream up.

Pumpkin Topiaries are an easy craft that can be fun for kids and adults. Get the fake foam pumkins for this project, a few in varying sizes. Paint them, dip them in glitter, decoupage them, whatever tickles your fancy. Use a vase or basket and fill it with floral foam, top with some raffia, hay, ribbon, etc. Use a thick gage wire or bamboo skewers to build your topiary.. (I actually painted an easter basket for this one) I have used this decoration year after year, I love it.

I was perusing the Martha Stewart website and came across yarn pumpkins. She used foam balls and wrapped them in yarn. I decided that I would just use yarn balls that I already have, that way when Halloween is over I can put the yarn back where it goes. And I can change the colors of my "yarnkins" as I see fit. I was going for a Warhol look with these guys. Martha used a thick rope and it looked great, I didn't have any on hand so I used small branches for the stems. Throw them in a compote or on a plant, and VIOLA!! Yarnkins.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I love anything that is one of a kind! Having an accessory that no one else on the PLANET has makes you feel special and original and like a million bucks. Using reclaimed cigar boxes makes amazing, compliment worthy purses.. Its easy to transform an old cigar box into a beautiful handbag.1- If the hardware is old, it needs to be replaced.2- decoupage, paint, or otherwise decorate the outside of the box. You can leave it in its original state if you so desire.3- attach handle to box per instructions.4- glue down fabric, paper or whatever you are lining the inside with. Include a mirror to check your look!Viola! You have a one of a kind purse.Some of my favorite designs are made with mixed media, bows, chalkboard, corks, etc..Check it out..Pink purse with black satin bows. Eiffel tower material lining.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

So you need a place to hide things? Or just an original jewelry box? This project is fun and ends up looking way cool. I found a big ol book on a free shelf at a campground, the pages were falling out, but the cover was in decent shape. Being the decoupaging freak that I am, I decided to cut out words that struck me. (I kept the pages from the book to decoupage other things too.) I used a 2" book, so it was easy to find a piece of wood to fit.

1- remove pages from book, this may take a box cutter or scissors, so you don't rip the cover.2- decoupage (if you desire) the outside of the box3- glue in a lining of a pretty fabric or paper4- measure and miter cut 3 pieces of a flat trim or thin board that fits nicely inside the book (and allows the book to close.)5- glue in the wood frame with wood glue and reinforce with staples6- you can paint the wood to look like pages. (this wood grain happened to look like pages, so I left it natural.

I LOVE reading, and would never suggest destroying a classic. You can always paint the cover to say War and Peace or Gone with the Wind.. Find books that have been loved and enjoyed and are at the end of their life.